USDA Rural Development Wyoming Grant Announced

On December USDA Rural Development Wyoming announced the Value-Added Producer Grant, (VAPG) program update for 2025. The VAPG program helps agricultural producers who wish to expand their customer base enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products.

Who may apply for this program? Agricultural producers (includes harvesters and steering committees), agricultural producer groups, farmer- or rancher-cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures, as defined in the program regulation.

How may funds be used? Grant funds may be used for planning activities or working capital expenses related to post-harvest processing and marketing the value-added agricultural products.

There will be a zoom conference on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. MST. Zoom Registration for the conference is at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0td-6prjspGdBelQVz3U6CBlh2o3_SvcZ4#/registration

Applicatants should be aware that 100% matching funds are required for the grant.

Planning grant awards may be used for hiring a qualified consultant to conduct and develop a: Feasibility study; Business plan or Marketing plan.

Qualifying working capital expenses may include: Costs of processing the post-harvest raw commodity into the value-added product; Product packaging and labeling; Marketing and Advertising; Post-processing distribution.

Photo courtesy of USDA

VAPG is a nationwide competition for funds!

Wyoming VAPG contacts are:

Lynelle Barber, Business Program Specialist, (307) 233-6721

James Robinson, Business Program Specialist, (307) 233-6723

Cynthia Dettloff, Business Program Director, (307) 233-6716